After captivating audiences around the globe, becoming Netflix’s third most-watched series ever and even landing at the centre of rumours it may be leaving the platform altogether, the streaming giant finally has an update about the future of Wednesday.
On Friday evening, a short video posted on the show’s official social media accounts confirmed that the Addams Family spin-off would be back for a new season in 2023.
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In the clip, lead actor Jenna Ortega was heard saying, in character as Wednesday: “Over the past few weeks I’ve been hunted, haunted and mimicked millions of times across the internet. It’s been torture. Thank you.”
The teaser then confirmed: “More misery is coming. The global phenomenon will return for season two.”
Following its debut in November 2022, Wednesday quickly became one of the year’s most popular shows, racking up over one billion viewing hours in the space of three weeks.
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The show depicts Jenna Ortega as the Addams’ eldest child, who lands herself at a new boarding school when she’s expelled for sticking up for her brother.
Catherine Zeta-Jones and Luis Guzmán portray Wednesday’s parents Morticia and Gomez Adams, while former Addams Family Values star Christina Ricci plays a teacher at the Nevermore Academy.
Jenna Ortega busts a move in one of Wednesday’s most iconic scenes
Earlier this week, speculation broke out that Wednesday could be leaving Netflix in the future after Amazon officially acquired MGM, who own the rights to the Addams Family.
Fortunately, fans can breathe a sigh of relief, as the show will be apparently be staying put.
The fifth season of the royal drama dropped on the streaming service earlier this week and sees the two actors take over the roles of the now-married couple from predecessors Josh O’Connor and Emerald Fennell.
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In a new interview with Variety, Dominic and Olivia were posed with comments from some social media users labelling them “too hot” for their characters, who are depicted in the 90s, when the then-Prince Charles was still married to Diana, Princess Of Wales.
“Well I think there’s something in that, you know. I’ve had worse,” Dominic joked.
Olivia continued: ”[The producers] will just have to try and suppress how very deeply hot we are for season six.”
The King and Queen Consort pictured earlier this week
JAMES GLOSSOP via Getty Images
She added that she was not taking much feedback on board as she has an “astonishing ability to ignore all press”, unlike Dominic, who said he “reads every single” review.
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He continued: “Because I always find if you don’t read it and then you go in – I remember doing a play on Broadway once and I thought, ‘Well, I’m not gonna read the reviews.’ And I came into the theatre and it was like a morgue. Everyone looked at me as if my dog had just died.
“And from then on I’ve read reviews. I think what’s obvious is this season, probably more than previous ones, has stirred up a lot of controversy, partly because the Queen has died. And also because it’s about probably the most tumultuous time of their lives and over a time that more people remember than ever before.”
While many have said it is a strong start for its third cast – led by Imelda Staunton as Queen Elizabeth II – others have absolutely torn it to sheds.
It was described in different reviews as “boring”, “dull”, “tawdry” and “addictive”, with some referring to it as a low-point for The Crown, while others hail it as strong as ever.
Lindsay Lohan got the holiday season ― and her long-awaited comeback ― off to a spirited start this week with a modern twist on a yuletide classic.
On Friday, the actor unveiled her rendition of Jingle Bell Rock, which will be featured in Falling For Christmas, her forthcoming Netflix comedy.
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Jingle Bell Rock was made famous in 1957 by country musician Bobby Helms. Lohan’s version, of course, is a playful wink at her own cinematic legacy. She first performed the song in the smash 2004 film Mean Girls alongside co-stars Lacey Chabert, Rachel McAdams and Amanda Seyfried.
In the 18 years since the movie was released, their iconic rendition – which took place at a high school talent show, with Tina Fey on the piano – has gone on to inspire countlesstributes on YouTube, TikTok and other platforms.
Listen to Lindsay Lohan’s Jingle Bell Rock below…
Due out 10 November, Falling For Christmas follows spoiled hotel heiress Sierra (Lohan), who is stricken with amnesia after being injured in a skiing accident.
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In true rom-com fashion, Sierra begins her recovery in the care of a handsome ski lodge owner, Jake (Chord Overstreet), and his young daughter (Olivia Perez) just days before Christmas.
Directed by Janeen Damian, Falling For Christmas marks Lindsay’s first leading role in a major movie since 2013’s The Canyons. She’s also an executive producer on the film, which is the first in a three-picture deal with Netflix.
Chord Overstreet (left) and Lindsay Lohan in Netflix’s Falling for Christmas, out 10 November
Scott Everett White/Netflix
In recent years, Lindsay has maintained a low profile, and currently resides in Dubai with husband Bader Shammas, whom she married in July. She’s also been frank in interviews about her experiences with drug and alcohol addiction during her early years in Hollywood.
As of late, however, she has hinted that she’s eager to resume her career. She’s described being on the set of Falling For Christmas as a “rebirth.”
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“It was really comforting to me, when I got the script, to see a movie that was a rom-com because it’s always fun to work on something lighthearted and family-oriented that makes people happy and provides a bit of an escape,” she told Cosmopolitan in an interview published on Monday. “And I was excited to kind of come back, to do something with Netflix, who is a big family in a way. It was the right fit for me, especially to be able to executive produce it.”
The royal period drama returns for its fifth series later this year, with details of cast additions for its subsequent sixth season revealed by Deadline on Friday.
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Two actors have been cast as Prince William, with teenager Rufus Kampa playing him at the age of 15, with Ed McVey taking over for his later teen and early adult years.
Meanwhile, Meg Bellamy has been cast as Kate, and said in a post on Instagram: “It is such an honour to be joining the most incredible cast and crew, and I will strive to do Kate justice.”
Ed added: “I’m absolutely buzzing to be given the opportunity to play Prince William in #thecrown in Series 6!!! Along side the amazing @megkbellamy.
“Gunna be an amazing shoot can’t wait to learn all I can!”
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Rufus’ tenure as William will focus on the aftermath of Princess Diana’s death in 1997, while Ed will portray the prince as he begins dating Kate after meeting at University of St Andrews in Fife in 2001, according to Deadline.
The Crown will be all three of the actor’s first TV roles, with Rufus and Meg also landing their parts after replying to a callout on social media.
They will begin filming for the sixth and final season of The Crown later this year.
William and Kate pictured with daughter Charlotte last month
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Netflix has released the first trailer for their new show Wednesday, based around the iconic Addams Family character.
The upcoming comedy-horror series reimagines Wednesday as a teenager, who arrives at the suitably spooky Nevermore Academy after being expelled from her eighth school in five years due to a grisly piranha-based incident.
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In the newly-released clip (released, fittingly, on Wednesday), we also see footage of the character playing cello, learning to fence, getting to know her schoolmates and attending a school dance where blood appears to rain down from the ceiling.
“Little did I know, I’d be stepping into a nightmare, full of mystery, mayhem and murder” says Wednesday – played by 19-year-old Jenna Ortega – in voiceover, before adding: “I think I’m going to love it here.”
Wednesday Addams as depicted in the trailer for Netflix’s new show
Wednesday is directed by Tim Burton – known for his work on films like Beetlejuice, The Nightmare Before Christmas and Edward Scissorhands – while Luis Guzmán and Catherine Zeta-Jones play Wednesday’s parents, Gomez and Morticia Addams.
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The teaser ends with the teenager clicking twice, in a nod to the original sitcom’s infamous theme music.
The role of Wednesday Addams was originated by Lisa Loring in the 1960s, with Christina Ricci playing the character twice on the big screen, including in the cult classic Addams Family Values.
Interestingly, Christina is also set to play a role in the new series, though details about her character are yet to be revealed.
Jenna Ortega in character as Wednesday Addams
MATTHIAS CLAMER/NETFLIX
Before landing the role of Wednesday, Jenna appeared in Jane The Virgin, You and the recent Scream revival.
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A release date for Wednesday is still to be announced, although it’s reportedly coming later in 2022. Fingers crossed it’ll be here in time for Halloween…
Sadie Sink has won near-universal praise for her portrayal of Max Mayfield on Stranger Things, but the show’s creative team apparently had a surprising reservation about her at first.
Speaking to Fashion magazine, the actor opened up about her audition process for the second season of the smash Netflix series.
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In the interview, she revealed that casting directors initially told her she was too “old” for the part – even though she was only 14 at the time.
Still, Sadie wasn’t easily deterred, noting that the role of Max felt “right” to her.
“I just begged and pleaded with them to give me more material so I could show them something fresh,” she said.
Eventually, the producers opted to call her in for a chemistry read with fellow actors Gaten Matarazzo and Caleb McLaughlin, who play Dustin Henderson and Lucas Sinclair on the show, respectively.
The following day, the part was hers.
“Honestly, my life has felt a bit like a coming-of-age movie,” Sadie Sink said.
Kevin Winter via Getty Images
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Now 20, Sadie was hardly an acting novice at the time of her Stranger Things audition.
She made her Broadway debut in the 2012 production of Annie, and successfully made the leap to TV the following year with a guest role on the FX series The Americans.
In 2021, she joined the horror film franchise Fear Street as Ziggy Berman. This fall, she’ll be seen opposite Brendan Fraser in Darren Aronofsky’s The Whale.
Elsewhere in her Fashion interview, Sadie reflected on the unexpected challenges of having spent the bulk of her teen years in the spotlight.
“It’s such a weird and specific situation that the Stranger Things cast and I are all in because the world knows who our characters are but we’re still trying to figure out who we are as people,” she explained. “I think being in the industry accelerates you and you mature faster. But for the most part, it’s just so fun because the cast is all going through it together.”
She then noted: “Honestly, my life has felt a bit like a coming-of-age movie.”
Sex Education star Patricia Allison has revealed she won’t be returning to the award-winning teen drama when it returns for its fourth season next year.
Patricia has played teenager Ola in all three series of the hit Netflix show, with a fourth currently in the pipeline.
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However, in a new interview with Capital Xtra, the actor revealed she would not be returning in the new batch of episodes as she is pursuing new opportunities.
“I know, I absolutely have loved being on Sex Education so so much, and playing Ola but unfortunately, I won’t be joining the team for season four,” she said.
“I’m so sorry to have to break that to you guys but umm, I’m just going to be doing some other little things, some other opportunities have come up. So, I’ve been doing it for three years and I’ve, like, genuinely loved it.”
“I love the show,” she added. “[But you] have to say goodbye some time which is kind of sad. But other things are coming.”
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Ola was introduced in the first season of Sex Education as a love interest for lead character Otis, who just happened to be the daughter of his mum’s partner, Jakob.
As the series has progressed, Patricia has been boosted from a recurring star to a main cast member, with Ola later entering a relationship with the alien-obsessed Lily.
Ola’s love story with Lily formed a major part of her character’s development
With Patricia teasing new projects, her co-stars have also gone on to achieve big things since Sex Education’s launch.
Emma Mackey has appeared in films like Eiffel and Death On The Nile, as well as the upcoming Barbie film.
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Barbie will also feature Sex Education’s Ncuti Gatwa, who was recently announced as Jodie Whittaker’s successor in the new series of Doctor Who.
Meanwhile, Simone Ashley recently played a lead role in another major Netflix project, Bridgerton.
Regé-Jean Page has shut down reports he is set to reprise his role as the Duke Of Hastings in the third series of Bridgerton.
The actor played one of the romantic leads in the first series of the hit Netflix period drama, but did not return for the second, which was released earlier this year.
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Reports recently claimed that he was in talks about reuniting with co-star Phoebe Dynevor, who plays his wife Daphne Bridgerton, in the next set of episodes.
However, those holding out hope of seeing Regé-Jean back in action as Simon Basset will be disappointed as he has said there is no truth to the rumours.
After hanging out with former co-star Jonathan Bailey, who plays Anthony Bridgerton, at Milan Fashion Week, Regé-Jean posted some snaps on Instagram, writing: “The boys are back in town (No, I’m not going back to the show btw – the papers made that one up.)
“But we had the best, and most stylish, catch up I’ve had in a while over some truly excellent Italian coffee and sunshine.”
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Last month, it was revealed the love story between Colin Bridgerton (Luke Newton) and Penelope Featherington (Nicola Coughlan) will take centre stage in Bridgerton’s forthcoming series.
This is a deviation from the order of the original books, as the third instalment in the Bridgerton novel series by Julia Quinn focuses on Benedict Bridgerton’s romance with Sophie Beckett.
The couple will take the lead roles in the show’s third season
Explaining the change in an interview with Variety, new showrunner Jess Brownell said: “I really feel like it’s Colin and Penelope’s time. Because we’ve been watching both of these actors on our screens since season one, we’ve already invested in them a little bit. We know who they are as people,” she said.
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“I feel like, especially in the last season, there are these moments of tension between them where it’s like, Colin walks up to the line of almost realising that Penelope has feelings for him but doesn’t quite get there.
“Instead of treading water on that dynamic, we wanted to push it into their season. It really felt like the perfect moment to tee it up.”
The After Life creator’s newest show SuperNature began streaming earlier this week, and was quickly condemned over the material in his stand-up set, which also includes jokes about AIDS and female comedians.
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SuperNature opens with Gervais telling the audience that his jokes are intended to be “ironic”.
He then goes on to refer to cisgender women as “old-fashioned women… the ones with wombs, those fucking dinosaurs”, before making disparaging comments about trans women.
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The set then includes an imagined conversation between a cis woman objecting to sharing a toilet with trans women, including a joke about rape.
Ricky Gervais
Vera Anderson via Getty Images
During an appearance on The One Show, the comic defended making jokes about “taboo subjects”.
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“I think that’s what comedy is for, really – to get us through stuff, and I deal in taboo subjects because I want to take the audience to a place it hasn’t been before, even for a split second,” he said.
“Most offence comes from when people mistake the subject of a joke with the actual target.”
He continued: “It starts and they go, what’s he going to say? I tell the joke. Phew, they laugh.
“It’s like a parachute jump – it’s scary, but then you land and it’s all OK.
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“I think that’s what comedy is for – getting us over taboo subjects so they’re not scary any more. So I deal with everything. And I think we second guess the audience too much.”
However, US LGBT rights group Glaad labelled the show “dangerous”, “anti-gay” and “anti trans” after its release on Tuesday.
We watched the Ricky Gervais “comedy” special on Netflix so you don’t have to. It’s full of graphic, dangerous, anti-trans rants masquerading as jokes. He also spouts anti-gay rhetoric & spreads inaccurate information about HIV. 1/4
Attention Ricky and Netflix: people living with HIV today, when on effective treatment, lead long and healthy lives and cannot transmit HIV to others. U=U 2/4
Netflix has a policy that content “designed to incite hate or violence” is not allowed on their platform, but we all know that anti-LGBTQ content does exactly that. While Netflix is home to some groundbreaking LGBTQ shows, it refuses to enforce its own policy in comedy. 3/4
The LGBTQ community and our allies have made it very clear that so-called comedians who spew hate in place of humor, and the media companies who give them a platform, will be held accountable. Meanwhile, there are PLENTY of funny LGBTQ comedians to support. 4/4
“We watched the Ricky Gervais ‘comedy’ special on Netflix so you don’t have to,” they said. “It’s full of graphic, dangerous, anti-trans rants masquerading as jokes. He also spouts anti-gay rhetoric and spreads inaccurate information about HIV.
“Netflix has a policy that content ‘designed to incite hate or violence’ is not allowed on their platform, but we all know that anti-LGBTQ content does exactly that. While Netflix is home to some groundbreaking LGBTQ shows, it refuses to enforce its own policy in comedy.
“The LGBTQ community and our allies have made it very clear that so-called comedians who spew hate in place of humor, and the media companies who give them a platform, will be held accountable. Meanwhile, there are PLENTY of funny LGBTQ comedians to support.”
Gervais’ remarks have also been heavily criticised on social media, including by many comedians on Twitter.
Comedians being transphobic contribute towards a culture of fear that makes trans people incredible marginalised & unsafe. I hate it when women’s safety is used as a straw man for these attacks cos I know of far more male comics who’ve assaulted women than trans people who have.
— Kiri Pr’chard-McLean (@kiripritchardmc) May 25, 2022
Well look, I watched it. It’s extremely dispiriting to see a large audience laugh at something so trite, unoriginal and needlessly antagonistic. trans rights are in the toilet in this country and @rickygervais is a part of that. anyway 0/10. terrible stuff. get a writer.
Many also took the opportunity to repost an old set from British comic James Acaster, lampooning established comedians for taking aim at the trans community.
","type":"video","meta":{"url":"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=adh0KGmgmQw","type":"video","version":"1.0","title":"James Acaster on Ricky Gervais’ Trans Jokes | COLD LASAGNE HATE MYSELF 1999 | Universal Comedy","author":"Universal Comedy","author_url":"https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCZIv78thfup6-JB5HxqT3Pg","provider_name":"YouTube","description":"James Acaster calls out Ricky Gervais on his jokes about the transgender community.\n\nWINNER OF THE MOST OUTSTANDING SHOW AT MELBOURNE INTERNATIONAL COMEDY FESTIVAL 2019\n\n“There’s a rush you get when you watch a routine that has been burnished to gem-like perfection, every phrase and pause chiselled and grooved to maximise the surprise; I felt drunk on it after two hours of this set. Joke after joke operates on a plane to which standup seldom ascends.”\n-The Guardian, A COMEDY GENIUS AT THE PEAK OF HIS POWERS\n\n“James Acaster already has a reputation as a comedy craftsman, but here he has surpassed even his own superlative standards…the way Acaster constructs his story, the way he develops themes and teases out humorous strands, is true genius.”\n-Evening Standard, COMIC GENIUS DELVES DEEP INTO HIS PSYCHE\n\n“A revelation…career-defining two hour show.”\n-The I Paper, SUBLIME\n\nFilmed 17.01.2019 EartH in Hackney, London.\n\nBUY THE FULL SHOW ON VIMEO HERE – https://bit.ly/3eD9QFA\n\nDon’t forget to subscribe to Universal Comedy for all your comedy needs – https://bit.ly/2JzBrWV\n\n#JamesAcaster #StandUp #Comedy","thumbnail_url":"https://i.ytimg.com/vi/adh0KGmgmQw/maxresdefault.jpg","thumbnail_width":1280,"thumbnail_height":720,"cache_age":86400,"options":{"_start":{"label":"Start from","value":"","placeholder":"ex.: 11, 1m10s"},"_end":{"label":"End on","value":"","placeholder":"ex.: 11, 1m10s"},"_cc_load_policy":{"label":"Closed captions","value":false},"click_to_play":{"label":"Hold load & play until clicked","value":false}}},"fullBleed":false,"flags":[],"enhancements":{},"options":{"theme":"news","device":"desktop","editionInfo":{"id":"uk","name":"U.K.","link":"https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk","locale":"en_GB"},"slideshowAd":{"scriptTags":[],"otherHtml":""},"slideshowEndCard":{"scriptTags":[{"attribs":{},"scriptBody":"\r\n (function(){\r\n var c = document.getElementById(‘taboola-endslate-thumbnails’);\r\n c.id += ‘-‘ + Math.round(Math.random()*1e16);\r\n \r\n var taboolaParams = {\r\n loader: \"//cdn.taboola.com/libtrc/aol-huffingtonpost/loader.js\",\r\n mode: \"thumbnails-b\",\r\n container: c.id,\r\n placement: \"Endslate Thumbnails\",\r\n target_type: \"mix\"\r\n };\r\n \r\n if (typeof window.modulousQueue === \"function\") {\r\n \twindow.modulousQueue.add(function(){ doTaboola(taboolaParams); });\r\n } else {\r\n \tdoTaboola(taboolaParams);\r\n }\r\n }());\r\n"}],"otherHtml":"
Come on, hands up – who’s ready to put their feet up and enjoy laying low over Easter? The four-day bank holiday weekend is finally upon us, and we can’t be the only ones who feel like it can’t have come soon enough.
If you’re among those planning to use their time to rest up at home, you’re in luck, because there’s a string of films both old and new for pretty much everyone to enjoy.
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To save your channel-hopping, here’s our guide to 22 films being shown on telly over Easter, and when to watch them…
Hop
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Universal/Kobal/Shutterstock
When’s it on? Good Friday at 10.15am on ITV2
Tell me more: A young rabbit named E.B. announces he doesn’t want to follow in his predecessors’ footsteps by becoming the Easter Bunny, and instead wants to pursue his dream of becoming a drummer.
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Even more random than that plot is the fact the animated bunny is voiced by Russell Brand, with live-action appearances from James Marsden and Chelsea Handler – not to mention some extremely cute chicks.
Recommended for: At this time of year? Everyone! Come on, who doesn’t want to kick off Easter weekend with this sweet story?
Matilda
Tri Star/Kobal/Shutterstock
When’s it on? Good Friday at 2pm on ITV
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Tell me more: Six-year-old Matilda is unappreciated by her neglectful parents and mistreated by the tyrannical Miss Trunchbull, finding solace in books. She has some fun of her own and schemes to get her own back when she discovers that, in addition to her superior intellect, she also possesses telekinetic powers.
Recommended for: To be honest, we’re struggling to think of a time we wouldn’t recommend the cosy and pure magic of Matilda.
Space Jam
Kobal/Shutterstock
When’s it on? Good Friday at 2.15pm on ITV2
Tell me more: Get ready for a serious dose of nostalgia. Perhaps the most 90s film to ever exist, Space Jam mixes space travel, basketball and Looney Tunes, with some impressive A-list cameos including Bill Murray and, of course, sports icon Michael Jordan.
Recommended for: Anyone who was disappointed by the 2021 Space Jam sequel and needs to remind themselves of what it was they loved so much about the original film.
King Of Kings
Moviestore/Shutterstock
When’s it on? Good Friday at 2.30pm on BBC Two
Tell me more: It wouldn’t be Good Friday without some class of biblical epic airing on the BBC in the middle of the afternoon, would it?. This year they’re showing King Of Kings, with Jeffrey Hunter and Rip Torn in the lead roles of Jesus and Judas.
Clocking in at just under three hours, it’s a bit of a bum-number, but it pales in comparison to The Greatest Story Ever Told, which goes for four hours and 20 minutes in total.
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Recommended for: If you’re already on a bit of a chocolate-induced sugar high and you need some help settling down for the afternoon.
Ice Age
20th Century Fox/Kobal/Shutterstock
When’s it on? Good Friday at 4pm on ITV2
Tell me more: A snow-covered family favourite that started a whole animated franchise, Ice Age introduces us to a sloth, saber-tooth tiger and wooly mammoth who team up to help return a lost human baby to his tribe.
Unlike a lot of animated films, the voice cast were encouraged to improvise during the recording process, which helped provide some of the humour that helped make Ice Age a favourite for all generations when it debuted 20 (!!) years ago.
Recommended for: If the bank holiday weather doesn’t quite work out in your favour and you decide to just lean into the cold.
Tell me more: Often held up as one of the best films of all time, Back To The Future introduces us to high school student Marty McFly, who winds up being catapulted back in time to the 50s thanks to mad scientist Doc Brown and his souped-up DeLorean.
Recommended for: Anyone who has somehow made it this long without watching Back To The Future.
Tell me more: Written by Downton Abbey creator Julian Fellowes, this historical drama centres around Queen Victoria in the early years of her reign, shining a light on her turbulent relationship and her romance with the eventual Prince Albert.
Alongside Emily Blunt in the lead role, the cast also boasts appearances from Jim Broadbent, Miranda Richardson and Paul Bettany.
Recommended for: Those who can’t quite hang on for season five of The Crown for a taste of royal drama and scandal.
Tell me more: Speed was a breakthrough moment for Sandra Bullock when it was released in the 90s. She and Keanu Reeves play passengers who find themselves on board a bus that has been rigged by terrorists to explode if it goes beneath 50mph in this fast-paced action thriller.
Recommended for: If you’ve been watching animated family favourites all day, and need something a bit more high-stakes.
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Skyfall
Danjaq/Eon Productions/Kobal/Shutterstock
When’s it on? Good Friday at 8pm on ITV2
Tell me more: Skyfall is the third of Daniel Craig’s five outings as James Bond, and is often considered by fans of the 007 franchise to be the best of the bunch. This instalment sees Bond squaring off against former MI6 agent turned cyberterrorist Raoul Silva, while Naomie Harris and Ben Whishaw also make their debut appearances in the franchise in the film.
Recommended for: Anyone whose idea of a good Friday night includes big explosions, chase scenes, shock twists and generally being shaken (but not stirred).
Whiplash
Moviestore/Shutterstock
When’s it on? Good Friday at 9pm on BBC Three
Tell me more: This seriously intense Oscar-winning film centres around an ambitious jazz drummer who is pushed to the extreme by his ruthless (and, at times, abusive) teacher, played by JK Simmons.
Recommended for: Anyone who wasn’t put through the trauma of school band rehearsals and wants a taste of what it was like.
The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel
Blueprint/20th Century Fox/Kobal/Shutterstock
When’s it on? Good Friday at 10.40pm on BBC One
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Tell me more: In The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel, a group of British pensioners decide to ditch the humdrum of retirement in Blighty and embrace the new by moving to a new residence in India, with romance and drama ensuing.
If that doesn’t convince you, the cast includes Dame Judi Dench, Dev Patel, Dame Maggie Smith, Bill Nighy and Celia Imrie.
Recommended for: If you want something gentle to wind down to after a hectic Good Friday.
Joker
Warner Bros/Moviestore/Shutterstock
When’s it on? From Good Friday onwards on Netflix
Tell me more: Joaquin Phoenix won an Oscar for his portrayal of the titular supervillain in this complete rewrite of the Joker’s backstory.
Joker draws heavily on the work of Martin Scorsese, which means there’s considerably more graphic violence and unsettling action than you might expect from a DC Comics adaptation, but despite polarising reviews at the time, the film was hugely successful upon its release in 2019.
Recommended for: If you want the complete opposite of something gentle to wind down to after a hectic Good Friday.
Jason And The Argonauts
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When’s it on? Saturday at 9.50am on Channel 4
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Tell me more: A true cult classic from the 60s (Mr Hollywood himself Tom Hanks once named it his favourite film ever), fantasy adventure Jason And The Argonauts reimagines stories from Greek mythology with a mix of live-action and stop-motion animation.
Recommended for: Those who want to kickstart their Saturday morning with some old-school adventure.
Shrek 2
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When’s it on? Saturday at 4.10pm on ITV2
Tell me more: Probably the best offering from the surprisingly-elaborate Shrek universe, this film picks up where the first film left off with Shrek and newly-permanent ogre Fiona adjusting to married life.
We could go on and on about the plot, but realistically you’ve already seen this film 100 times and know full well it’s all about the Fairy Godmother’s musical number.
Recommended for: Literally everyone. Enjoy!
Captain Marvel
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When’s it on? Saturday at 9.25pm on Channel 4
Tell me more: Captain Marvel is the first female-led film in the MCU, and what a best foot forward it was. Oscar winner Brie Larson takes the lead in this action adventure, which also boasts appearances from Samuel L Jackson, Lashana Lynch and Jude Law.
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Recommended for: Marvel fans who still have a few films to check off their ever-growing MCU list.
Hot Fuzz
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When’s it on? Saturday at 10.40pm on ITV
Tell me more: The second (and biggest) film in Simon Pegg and Edgar Wright’s “Cornetto trilogy” the police comedy sees Simon and regular co-star Nick Frost teaming up to play a pair of coppers investigating grisly murders in a West Country village. We promise it’s funnier than it sounds.
Recommended for: Anyone who just needs a good chuckle.
E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial
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When’s it on? Easter Sunday at 3.25pm on ITV2
Tell me more: One of the most beautiful stories of unlikely friendship ever shown on screen, E.T. became the biggest box office smash of all time when it debuted in the 1980s.
The film introduces us to Elliott, a young boy whose life is turned upside down when he befriends a lost alien who has crash-landed on earth.
Recommended for: Anyone, as long as you’re prepared to cry your eyes out in those final moments.
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The Lion King
When’s it on? Easter Sunday at 5.45pm on BBC One
Tell me more: Undoubtedly one of the most shining jewels in the Disney renaissance crown, this animated classic is a rough retelling of Shakespeare’s Hamlet as told through animals in the Pride Lands of Africa.
With stunning animation, unforgettable music (by Sir Elton John, no less!) and some of the most iconic characters in Disney history, it’s a film everyone should watch at least once.
Recommended for: The term “fun for all the family” gets thrown around a lot, but The Lion King truly is.
Spectre
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When’s it on? Easter Sunday at 8pm on ITV2
Tell me more: What, did you think the long weekend was only going to have one James Bond film on TV? Don’t be silly.
Skyfall follow-up Spectre introduces Andrew Scott (otherwise known as Fleabag’s Hot Priest) as 007’s new adversary Max Denbigh, with Sam Mendes returning as director.
Recommended for: If Skyfall piqued your interest on Good Friday.
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Shrek
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When’s it on? Easter Monday at 2.05pm on ITV
Tell me more: Pretty much throwing out the fairytale rulebook, Shrek helped put Dreamworks on the map, and made sure they were the go-to for family comedy over Disney in the 2000s.
In the first film of the series, we meet grumpy ogre Shrek, who is furious to find his isolated swamp has been overrun by fairytale creatures, after they’re all banished by Lord Farquaad.
Recommended for: When you enjoyed Shrek 2 so much two days earlier, you want to go back and watch the first film. No, we’ve got no idea why ITV is showing them in this order, either, but let’s not question it.
Beauty And The Beast
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When’s it on? Easter Monday at 2.30pm on BBC One
Tell me more: Remember how many times you watched Disney’s animated Beauty And The Beast when you were growing up? Well, this is the slightly-less-good live-action version, with Emma Watson as Belle. If ever there was proof of the power of great animation, it’s comparing this film’s photo-real Mrs Potts with the version we all knew and loved from the 90s.
Recommended for: Disney devotees, for sure. But if you’ve never seen the original, we’d probably start there.
Spider-Man
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When’s it on? Easter Monday at 6.35pm on ITV2
Tell me more: Long before Tom Holland and even Andrew Garfield, Tobey Maguire swung into action (literally) as Spidey. This was the film that started it all, introducing us to Peter Parker as he’s bitten by a radioactive spider and slowly discovers his unusual abilities.
Recommended for: Any Marvel fans who want some nostalgia from those pre-MCU days.
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